Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office urges visitors, staff to comply with security rules following recent rise in weapons found

Yahoo

10-02-2025

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office is urging visitors and staff at the courthouse to be mindful of security rules following a recent rise in seized weapons.
As outlined on the Mecklenburg County courthouse website, firearms and other prohibited items are strictly forbidden. Security screenings including metal detectors and live-scan images are in place to prevent weapons from entering the building.
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The courthouse security policy includes:
Firearms, knives, and sharp objects are prohibited. Any suspicious items may be subject to examination before entry is permitted.
All visitors must pass through a metal detector. Those carrying metallic items, including belts and steel-toed shoes, may be subject to additional screening. You may also be scanned with a wand by a deputy to pinpoint the location of metals.
Electronic devices (laptops, tablets, and cell phones) are allowed but may need to be turned on for inspection.
No photography, filming, or audio recording is allowed without prior written approval.
The following items are prohibited:• Alcoholic Beverages• Audio/Video Recording Equipment• Brass Knuckles• Bullets• Corkscrew• Fishhook• Fork (Metal)• Glass Container• Guns (ALL)• Handcuff Key• Knitting/Sewing Items• Knives (ALL)• Kubatons• Large Safety Pin• Laser Light• Leatherman• Letter Opener• Meat Thermometer• Metal Pick• Nails/Screws• Paint• Paint Scraper• Painters Hook• Pepper Spray• Putty Knife• Razor Blade• Scissors• Tasers/Stun Guns• Tools (ALL)• Wire Hangers
The sheriff's office wants people, including courthouse employees, to be aware of what personal property they have in their possession as they try to enter the building, to prevent further violations.
'If the rules cannot be followed, we may need to consider taking a step further and instead of issuing citations, arresting those who bring firearms into the courthouse. It is a Class 1 Misdemeanor in violation of North Carolina General Statute 14-269.4,' Sheriff McFadden said. 'We can't read people's minds or intentions, but we can enforce the rules that are in place to protect everyone.'
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